Like many, Shoalhaven City Mayor Amanda Findley has welcomed the news of a proposed redevelopment of the Gateway Caravan Park in Nowra adjacent to the Shoalhaven River saying she is "excited" and "cautiously optimistic".
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But she warns the development has a "long way to go".
"Yes it's great news, but it is only very early days," Cr Findley said.
"There is a long way to go - I'm cautiously optimistic and like many, I'm celebrating the announcement and council will certainly be working closely with the proponents."
It was announced on Thursday, January 14, the Mosman Property Group, headed up by director, Jesse Xu and his Nowra-born business partner, Nicholas Warden, had acquired the caravan park adjacent to Nowra bridge, with plans to establish a tourism and business/conference accommodation venue including restaurants, cafes and a hotel.
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"It's great the company is looking to invest in Shoalhaven," Cr Findley said.
"We should remain cautious and optimistic, they will face some challenges on the site.
"Council is very focused on the activation of the Nowra riverfront.
"But we certainly don't want to get in the position as we have in the past where people start counting projects as complete before they are even off the ground.
"This is a good start and exciting news but it's sort of like the chicken and the egg."
Cr Findley said council and the state government were both interested in seeing something happening with the precinct around the Shoalhaven River.
"It's why the council started the taskforce which has now developed into a ministerial advisory group," she said.
"No doubt both council and the state government will work closely with the proposed developers for the site.
"And it's excellent the state government and council are working together to achieve outcomes that will best place the riverfront for future development."
Cr Findley said the proposal was "important for Nowra".
"Having a significant project development, at essentially the gateway of Nowra and the South Coast, gives other investors confidence in the city and should help see a refreshment in commercial sites close to Nowra," she said.
"It's a start - big projects like this don't just happen overnight - hopefully it comes to fruition in a fairly good time frame.
"It will also give confidence to the existing population that Nowra, and parts of it, are not stale but ripe for opportunity."